B&S Week 2 game-by-game previews 2023
The heat ramps up in Week 2 with some monster games. We’ve got Ole Miss-Tulane, A&M-Miami, and Alabama-Texas in primetime. Strap in.
By: Bossman Slim, Hammer, Waco Kid
Holy moly, baby! The season is off and running and we’ve already arrived at some gigantic matchups in Week 2. Bryant-Denny is going to be rocking for the rematch with Texas. The Longhorns longtime instate nemesis Texas A&M is headed to Miami for a big measuring stick game…are the Aggies as good as they looked in Week 1? How good is Miami? We also have Ole Miss getting an early taste of Mardi Gras heading on down to New Orleans to take on a ranked Tulane team that is no slouch. It’s going to be fun.
Let’s check in on how the crew fared in Week 1:
Everyone but Hammer is off to a decent start. Keep fading our picks against the spread until further notice.
Let’s make some picks.
11:00 a.m. ET on ACCN (Wake -10)
Bossman Slim: Am I crazy to think that 13.5 is way too big a spread for this game? This is a big measuring stick game for Vandy. Wake Forest always puts out a solid team with Dave Clawson at the helm, but they no longer have Sam Hartman to lean on. Vandy’s secondary is suspect and Hawaii put up 351 yards passing on them. That worries me because the Demon Deacons have multiple seasoned WRs who can hurt you, but they’re inexperienced at QB. Wake is weaker on the defensive line but stronger in the secondary. I think Vandy will be able to establish the run and AJ Swann will be able to connect with Will Sheppard and Jayden McGowan enough to notch a solid road W.
Vanderbilt 37
Wake Forest 34
Hammer: This game feels like it will be a lot closer than the spread (although I went 1-3 last week so what do I know). Wake Forest looked good in their opener, defeating Elon 37-17. I’m still not sold that they will be super dynamic without Sam Hartman. I trust Dave Clawson to put together a good offense and competitive team but replacing Sam Hartman isn’t easy. Keep an eye on the Wake running game as they only managed 2.8 YPC against Elon and Vandy has a better defensive front. On the Vandy side, the ‘Dores are 2-0 but haven't looked spectacular. They strike me as a scrappy team that will play tough but still lack the top-end talent to really make noise this fall. If this game was in Nashville, I might pick Vandy to upset the Demon Deacons but I can’t trust Vandy to beat a good Power 5 team on the road.
Wake Forest 38
Vanderbilt 28
Waco Kid: I don’t see the Wake Forest appeal in this one. Yes, they beat up on a team they should have but it was a 20-point victory over Elon. Who really cares? That’s a warm-up game. Vanderbilt has now had two warm-ups, one of which was a 7-point victory over Hawaii, an actual football program with a pulse. I think the Commodores started slow but blew it open against Alabama A&M. Clark Lea has his team fighting and winning, no matter what the scoreboard says. Vandy now has more game experience and Wake Forest will still need to find its identity after losing Sam Hartman to Notre Dame in the transfer portal. The Demon Deacons will fall behind early and make it an interesting game but if I’m a betting man my money is on the SEC team. And if I’m putting money down on the spread it’s definitely against the line of WF -10. Vandy wins outright and it won’t matter.
Vanderbilt 31
Wake Forest 20
3:30 p.m. ET on ESPN2 (Ole Miss -7)
Bossman Slim: Ole Miss got off to a hot start in Week 1, but you can’t take too much away because it’s Mercer. Tulane pounded South Alabama 37-17, but again not much you can discern from that either. Willie Fritz has molded a solid program in New Orleans and it will be fun to see Lane Kiffin take them head-on. Michael Pratt is one of the better veteran QBs in the country but he’s got a hodge podge of WRs that are unproven. The Green Wave’s defensive line is a strength but beyond that, there is inexperience and question marks. I think Jaxson Dart and his stable of weapons will be able to exploit this Tulane secondary and Quinshon Judkins will top 100 yards and get a couple of scores. I like Ole Miss to pull away late and cover.
#22 Ole Miss 42
#24 Tulane 28
Hammer: This game is really interesting, especially because it’s at Tulane. SEC teams playing on the road at a Group of 5 school is rare. I expect Ole Miss fans to travel well cause everyone loves New Orleans, so I’m interested to see the crowd dynamics. Tulane is widely thought of as the best G5 team this year after their 12-2 season a year ago. The Green Wave’s stud QB Michael Pratt is back, and he looked great in week one going 14/15 for 294 yards and 4 touchdowns against South Alabama. Tulane is no pushover. Ole Miss looked great in their opener as well, dismantling Mercer 73-7. Jaxson Dart had a phenomenal game going 18/23 for 334 yards and four TDs. A confident Jaxson Dart who avoids turnovers will make Ole Miss dangerous. It’s hard to know what to expect from Pete Golding’s defense in year one as Tulane will be their first real test. I’m confident that Ole Miss will score points on offense and force Michael Pratt and Tulane to keep pace, so a solid effort from the Rebels defense should lead to a comfortable win. But if Tulane can expose any weaknesses and find a groove, I could see the Green Wave keeping it close. I’ll take Ole Miss to win and cover but Tulane covering this would not surprise me at all.
#22 Ole Miss 42
#24 Tulane 31
Waco Kid: I’m going against the grain in this one. Both top 25 teams, one a southern football staple, the other a private school tucked away in uptown New Orleans, looking to make green waves in the college football world. Some may say Lane Kiffin and Ole Miss have more to lose in this one but I don’t see it that way. After a stunning defeat of USC in the Cotton Bowl to end their season, everyone thought Tulane just had a great year. If they can beat Mississippi, they could solidify a hold on national attention. This type of win after a huge bowl victory would be a program - and university - changing moment. With the continued success of QB Michael Pratt, the Tulane offense should be able to keep pace with the Lane Train and neither team has a top defensive unit. This will come down to who wants it more. Everyone knows if you back a dog into a corner it’s either going to submit or fight. This is the NOLA team’s time to fight back. I’m sure with a team full of scholars, Dylan Thomas’ poem will echo through the Green Wave locker room. It’s time to rage against the dying light and I don’t think this team goes gently into the good night.
#24 Tulane 41
#22 Ole Miss 35
3:30 p.m. ET on ABC (A&M -4)
Bossman Slim: Really excited for this one. This was a ranked matchup early in the year last season at Kyle Field, then both teams went on to have extremely disappointing 5-7 seasons. Miami QB Tyler Van Dyke had an underwhelming season last year under OC Josh Gattis after being named the ACC Rookie of the Year in 2021. Gattis was let go at the end of the season and is now at Maryland, while the ‘Canes brought in Shannon Dawson from Houston. Dawson is a Dana Holgorsen and Hal Mumme disciple and likes to air it out. On the other sideline, A&M looked in top form already last week against an outmanned New Mexico team. Conner Weigman looked like a revelation compared to recent Aggie QBs and Texas A&M showcased a plethora of weapons. The defense gave up a few big plays on the ground and through the air, but overall it was a solid defensive performance. Both of these teams have a ton of talent. I think the matchup to watch is A&M’s D-line against Miami’s O-line. If the Aggies can get pressure, I think it’s a long night for the ‘Canes, as I think A&M will score in bunches on offense.
#23 Texas A&M 38
Miami 24
Hammer: This should come as no surprise, but I’m buying Texas A&M stock right now. I picked them to win 10 games ahead of the year and they opened with a bang last week against New Mexico. Yes, it was just New Mexico but anyone who watched that game saw an offense that looked different. The combination of Bobby Petrino putting his fingerprints on the offense and calling plays paired with a confident and competent QB in Conner Weigman gives me confidence this offense can be at least above average in the SEC. A&M has played plenty of teams just like New Mexico in the last couple of years, and the offense has never looked that in sync. On the Miami side, they looked much improved in their opener against Miami (OH) but I don’t think they are on A&M’s level yet. The ‘Canes are talented but not as talented as the Aggies. If Miami had any semblance of a home-field advantage, I would think twice about this game but they don’t. In fact, I would not be shocked to see half the stadium wearing maroon knowing how many tickets will be available for traveling A&M fans. I’ll take the Ags to win and cover.
#23 Texas A&M 31
Miami 20
Waco Kid: Oh man, I don’t know what to say about this one besides Gig’em. After watching what the Aggie offense and defense did last week against New Mexico, I can confidently say this looks like a team with a chance to compete in the SEC West. C’mon Conner Weigman, as a sophomore just broke the passing touchdown record for A&M with 5 TDs against the Lobos or whatever they are. Noah Thomas was a freaking revelation with 3 TD receptions and Evan Stewart added another and over 100 yards receiving. The Bobby Petrino show took center stage and gave a performance worthy of an encore! This team hasn’t looked that dynamic or explosive since they were graced with Johnny Football, Mike Evans, and company. And their defense looked like a true SEC unit. Bend but don’t break and bring the wood every chance they get. Miami also looked pretty good against their Ohio counterpart, Miami. But it was nowhere near impressive as an A&M team starting off that quickly when most years they struggle through the first few games. I'm giving the edge to true Junction Boys and doing so to the tune of 20 points. The U will win some games this year, but they could play the Ags in Alaska and still get put on their butts. This is the Weigman/Petrino/Fisher show and this show is going nationwide!
#23 Texas A&M 45
Miami 17
7:00 p.m. ET on ESPN (Bama -7)
Bossman Slim: Last year’s matchup was a Big Noon Kickoff game on FOX in a sweltering Darrell K. Royal Stadium in Austin. This year it’s a night game in Bryant-Denny on ESPN. All the Pike’s, SAE’s, Phi Mu’s, Pi Phi’s and their loaded alumni parents will have all day to get good and liquored up before kickoff. Texas has played in big games before, but frankly, they don’t see environments like this in the Big 12, and I think that’s a significant advantage for the Tide. Both teams are extremely talented as Sarkisian has been recruiting well on the Forty Acres, but Bama still has the edge in that category. I’m really interested in a few matchups, starting with the Texas offense vs. Alabama’s talented but inexperienced defense. The Texas O-line is touted as one of the best in the country, so it will be a big test for the boys in the trenches. Texas also boasts weapons on the outside and a stable of talented running backs, so we’ll see if the Tide secondary is up to the task. Finally, I’m fascinated by the Tide offensive line against this talented Texas defensive line. After seeing what Jalen Milroe did last week at QB, I think Nick Saban has his man and that’s the edge that Bama needs to put them over the top. Tide cover late.
#4 Alabama 33
#11 Texas 24
Hammer: I keep seeing talking heads not only talking up Texas but actually picking them to win this game outright. Can we please pump the brakes here? Sure, Texas is talented and is much improved in the trenches. But to think they are going to come into Bryant-Denny Stadium and beat Alabama at night is insane to me. When was the last time Texas won a game like this? When is the last time Sark has won a game like this as a head coach? Well, Sark never has won a game like this, and for the Longhorn program, you’d have to go back 10+ years to the Mack Brown era. I know this game was close last year and Texas nearly pulled it out, but going on the road to Alabama is a different animal and not something Texas ever sees in their road Big 12 schedule. This is big-boy football. I expect Alabama to be able to run the ball effectively enough to limit Texas possessions and open up play action downfield. I’m still not sold on Quinn Ewers either. He’s like the Texas program overall: tons of talent and potential but hasn’t really done anything yet. The Crimson Tide are more talented and they are feeling all the disrespect from the national media about their team. I expect them to come out with their hair on fire and take care of business. Welcome to the show, Texas.
#4 Alabama 34
#11 Texas 24
Waco Kid: Alabama, Arkansas, UT sucks at football (tune of Home by Edward Sharpe). Look I, personally, have a lot against the Longhorns. So I won’t go into the Walmart t-shirt fans or the obnoxious way students think that because they go to the institution it makes them better than everyone else in Texas. And I tolerate hippies but if I am choosing who to survive a zombie apocalypse with, I’m leaving the granolas at home and going into the backwoods with some blue-collar, hard-working Bama fans. I view this program the same as the people who “bleed orange.” First off, blood is crimson or maroon, no one bleeds orange unless they have some sort of iron deficiency (cue getting canceled by every Texas fan). Their leader is a guy who gets touched coming out of a tunnel and freaks out worse than a Karen seeing an imaginary man on a plane. The ‘Horns may have one of the best-receiving corps in the nation, as well as a top quarterback. Oh and Quinn Ewers is there too. But that doesn’t negate the fact that they are going into a night game in Tuscaloosa against Nick Saban and a QB who has found his groove and looks even more well-rounded than some of the best to come out of Bryant-Denny. All of those factors do not bode well for a Sark-led team. Texas comes in a little overrated, especially after struggling early on against a JT Daniels-led Rice team. Alabama may be underrated based on their play last week. I’ll take the Crimson Tide to cover the spread and send those darn heifers back to Austin wondering if they should call off their entrance into the SEC and just keep the Longhorn network. Bama by a million.
#4 Alabama 38
#11 Texas 17
7:30 p.m. ET on SEC Network (State -9)
Bossman Slim: Mississippi State runs the ball! It was great to see the Kevin Barbay offense and what they brought to the table in Week 1. As expected this looks like a much more balanced attack than the Leach Air Raid era. Barbay cooked up some great plays and it was fun to watch the breakdowns on SEC Network. Arizona is an interesting team this season and Jedd Fisch had them much improved last season. They lost top wideout Dorian Singer to the portal but return their top four wideouts and added Colorado transfer Montana Lemonious-Craig who balled out in the Buffs spring game. This will be a solid challenge for Zach Arnett’s defense, but being at home in Starkville tips the scales in the Bulldogs favor. The Wildcats defensive line is also being rebuilt, so I expect State to come out and establish the run. Arizona covers but the Bulldogs get the win.
Mississippi State 31
Arizona 24
Hammer: Both of these teams blew out FCS opponents in week one so who knows what they really have. Arizona has been slowly improving under Jedd Fisch after the giant mess he inherited from Kevin Sumlin. That said, they have not improved enough to win on the road in Starkville. At night, no less. The Wildcats ain’t ready for the cowbells. Under Zach Arnett, Mississippi State’s defense should still be very good and offensively they are more balanced. I’m not ready to say whether they are better or worse offensively, but they at least have a running game now. Arizona is a team that I think the Bulldogs should be able to run against which gives me confidence that the Bulldogs will get this win and cover.
Mississippi State 31
Arizona 17
Waco Kid: Will Rogers is that guy, oh and surprise so is Jo’quavious “Woody” Marks. This State team is good on the ground and through the air. A dangerous combination to be defending against. Arizona was impressive in their Week 1 victory but this will be their first real test of the season. And it’s in Starkville, so not only do you have to take on a balanced offense and a defense with a top secondary but you are entering SEC country filled with cowbells. It’s a far cry from the Arizona, Pac-12 atmosphere. MSU is and should be the favorite. I’ll take the Bulldogs all day and twice on Naturdays in this one.
Mississippi State 35
Arizona 14
10:30 p.m. ET on ESPN (Auburn -6.5)
Bossman Slim: Whatcha got, Hugh Freeze? The Tigers are looking for anustart under Freeze, and this if their first Power 5 test of under the new regime. Cal is not a good football team and they haven’t been for some time. Auburn hasn’t been good either, but that’s only recently. Auburn is a much more talented football team on paper. One thing that should not be overlooked is the game time. This is a lot of travel and adjustment for a 9:30 CT game. I don’t expect this one to be easy for Auburn for that exact reason. Cal returns nine starters on defense but that was a unit that gave up 429 YPG and 28 PPG in 2022. With Phil Montgomery calling the shots and jackknife Robby Ashford to utilize, I think Auburn guts out a tough win on the road. Auburn covers if Jarquez Hunter plays, but if he doesn’t, the Tigers walk out with a four-point W.
Auburn 28
Cal 24
A photo of avid Auburn fan Tobias Funke’s Volkswagen Cabriolet, with the license plate he got to start the Freeze era. If you see him in the parking lot in Berkley say hello!
Hammer: Cal looked solid in their opening game, taking down North Texas 58-21 on the road. I didn’t think Cal could score 58 on air, let alone an actual team so props to them. Auburn ran over UMass in their opener as well. This game being on the road scares me slightly, but more because it’s a long way from home and in the Pacific time zone, not because Cal has a good home-field atmosphere. They have a pathetic home-field atmosphere and Auburn should be able to handle it. This will be a good test for Hugh Freeze because it's a road game against a Power 5 team, but Auburn should be able to win. Despite losing the starting QB battle, Robby Ashford still made a big impact in the opener with his legs. I like Ashford to be a factor on the ground again in this game and help Auburn secure a road victory.
Auburn 27
Cal 20
Waco Kid: Put the Pac-12 against any SEC team that does not reside in Nashville or Gainesville and I’d put money on the Southeastern team nine times out of ten. Auburn is coming off a stomping of UMass and Cal beat the snot out of North Texas. The Tigers are interesting, though, because they have two quarterbacks that can call. Incumbent Robby Ashford, who rushed for 3 scores last weekend, and newcomer Payton Thorne who seems to find the open receiver with ease. I think the only way War Eagle struggles is if they cannot make up their mind on the QB front. No matter how good a team may be, as we have seen time after time, indecision at this important position can be detrimental to a squad’s rhythm. Still, I think AU will be too much for the Golden Bears even if they do deploy a two-play caller system. Auburn covers and wins by two scores.
Auburn 27
Cal 10